Hey, Lee! Sorry for the late reply....I only stop by this Forum every few days or so. Anyhow, you'll have to forgive me but I know very little about moss species. I certainly love moss-habitats, though. As to your question regarding moss companions, I must recommend ferns! Since we are in a similar zone (7/8), I imagine that some of my fern species would work well for you, provided that these ferns are available. My favorite fern is Woodwardia fimbriata, the Giant Chainfern. Yes, it does consume a fair amount of water, but it is a fantastic plant that will help create a moist micro-climate in its immediate vicinity. As the name implies, this fern is a GIANT within four or five years. Three year-old plants are typically three feet tall by three feet wide. Under perfect conditions, Chainferns can grow to nine feet!!! (More often, six feet by six feet). So, if you have a big focal point, you might consider Woodwardia fimbriata. My next two suggestions are drought-tolerant ferns, which do quite well for me in northern California. Western sword fern, Polystichum munitum, is excellent for most applications. It grows into a nice, three by three foot mound, with attractive fronds most of the year. It will look ratty for a time, while the old fronds dry up and the new fronds unfurl. I have MANY sword ferns in my yard - I rely on them to fill spaces where other more sensitive plants might fail. The second drought-tolerant fern I recommend is known as Wood fern, or Dryopteris. I'm not sure of the exact species, but these grow superbly in dry oak woods (thus, wood fern, *dryops* meaning 'oak'). This fern is lighter green in color than the sword fern, and the fronds are more delicate. Generally, this fern only grows to about two to three feet. I grow them along the edge of the lawn, staggered with sword ferns, and as focal-pieces beside mossy oak-trunks/stumps or nice rocks. I also have several staged beneath redwoods and birches. I have about twenty of them, I'd guess (last time I went out to count, I was side-tracked by something or the other). In direct sunlight, they might stay rather compact for the first few years. To counter this, you might consider growing them in partial shade until they've sized up - either in-ground, or in containers. There are TONS of Dryopteris species, so you'll have to search around. I think mine *might be* Dryopteris spinulosa, but I could be wrong. Lastly, I'll recommend a fern that is new to me: the Alaskan fern, Polystichum setiferum. While this fern looks incredibly feathery and delicate, it is quite hardy....down to zone 5, I think. I have one in a container on my front deck, where it receives only post-noon sunlight. Mine has fronds approximately two feet long. In the summer, it is protected from direct sunlight by a large maple tree. I still haven't found the right place for it in the yard. I'll probably buy several of them this spring, as they are incredibly attractive. Josh

I created a blog for our outlined info and photos and as time allows will add more links and info. It is much easier to post a photo on our blog than it is on GW because you can upload directly from your "My Pictures" folder or anywhere on the web without the hassle of having to first up load to an Internet photo hosting site. Please forward me your email address and I will send you a blogger invitation so that you can post on the blog. One thing you might want to keep in mind is it might be best if your blog "screen name" is the same as your GW screen name. My email is katyguerin@comcast.net Now to continue with our class we have completed our first unit "Where Lichens Grow" Now we will move on to a new section "Lichen Growth Forms". Can someone provide us with a photo/info on leafy lichen = foliose Here is a link that might be useful: Lichen 101 Blog

Thanks! The plant in the picture is a very small one, probably planted where it shouldn't have been, and was removed after the photo was taken. I am new to the property (moved here last Aug.) Most of the other dogwoods - 7 full sized trees, and many of the azaleas - a dozen or so, are showing these signs to a much lesser degree. I think the grass is centipede - its one of those very stout, creeping grasses that excels in our sandy soil - though I know its not Zoysia. It does grow right up to the trunk of all the dogwoods, but not many of the azaleas which are just beyond the woodline and in 'natural areas'. I can't see any difference in the amount of damage/lichen between the plants in the grass and those in the woods. The affected plants are spread out all over the 2+ acre yard - some in full sun, some in partial shade, and across varying moisture conditions. Here in Eastern NC, we did have a hot dry summer last year, and I doubt that any attention was given to these before August. Drainage here is excellent, and doesn't seem to have a bearing on which plants are being affected. I'm not sure about the planting because they've been here at least 10 yrs or more, judging from the rest of the landscaping, probably about 20-25yrs. Thanks again for the input and any ideas!

The drugs tacrolimus (Protopic) & Elidel as well as UV light I read can be used as well as the clobetesol ointment .. all for autoimmune diseases I guess. I shall try a doctor here who is an MD who treats either Western medicine or alternative medicine depending on a patient's preference. My daughter-in-law goes to this doctor (who is also on the staff of a university medical school) & she uses the alternative way for the most part. With my medical background it is more difficult to understand the alternative way, much as I'd like to! Oh, BTW: my German Shepherd dog is on tacrolimus ointment twice a day put in her 'dry eyes' & pilocarpine drops orally.. also an autoimmune problem (a family affair!!!)